Adrian Peterson searching for snaps in Saints backfield

Lorenzo Powers |Friday, September 15, 2017

Adrian Peterson searching for snaps in Saints backfield

"You can't say enough about him", Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said of Cook. His offensive line, which struggled a year ago, gave him plenty of time to execute, and it showed with his 84.4% completion percentage, 346 passing yards, and three touchdowns.

The quarterback who picked apart New Orleans on Monday was a far cry from "captain checkdown", averaging 10.81 yards per attempt en route to totalling 346 yards and three touchdowns for a career-high passer rating of 143.0.

The NFL has seven owners who gave President Donald Trump $1 million each for his presidential run. He is also coming off of a knee injury that limited him to three games in 2016. Cook is just getting started, but his performance Monday night on the national stage should have fans excited.

The Vikings defense held the New Orleans Saints to 60 rushing yards and no single back had more than 18. Sam Bradford waited until Diggs had crossed the middle linebacker, leaving him wide open for a solid gain.

"Anytime you start the season, there's a lot of emotions built up inside of you", Bradford said.

"Thielen spent the majority of his time inside in the slot against the Saints, catching multiple deep crossing targets and bringing in nine of the ten passes thrown his way, trailing only Antonio Brown in receiving yards after week one".

While the Saints secondary has its weaknesses, it was a welcomed surprise to see Bradford stepping up and throwing the ball down the field.

But Ingram has only played a full 16-game season in two of his six National Football League seasons, so the Saints have to wonder if last year was just luck or if Ingram has turned the corner and can be a reliable back for a few more years. But by the time Cook arrived at the Lotus Uptown on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, the Vietnamese restaurant's kitchen was gone for the night. He finished the game with 182 yards.

The key sequence might have come in the first series. Coincidentally or not, Drew Brees never found a rhythm. The sack would've gotten the defense off the field, but instead the Saints got a first down. They are going to stretch you with that bunch, they will get after your quarterback. Throughout the game, Shurmur toyed with different personnel groupings in formations.

As the Saints prepare to take on the New England Patriots in their home opener, the offense is bound to bounce back.

The Saints were hurt by poor execution on third down, allowing Minnesota to turn 9-of-14 third downs into first downs and Minnesota twice scored touchdowns on third-down plays.

Kamara played 31 snaps, while Ingram played 26 snaps and Peterson lined up for nine snaps. "But I just know (coach) Sean Payton is not going to let the Saints play like they did two weeks in a row". "You see Kamara out of the backfield more than Peterson for example". That's because the New York Giants' offensive line makes what the Vikings trotted out last season look like it was filled with Hall of Famers.

Cook spoke to Peterson afterward on the field, their first meeting.

The Lions have every chance to win this game, even on the road. The next test is Sunday at Pittsburgh, which won't be easy.